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Cryptocard gobbles tasty, dead number puzzle startup

Cloud token option to fatten offerings

Cryptocard has acquired the patents and intellectual property of GrIDsure, a UK pattern-based authentication start-up that became insolvent earlier this month. Term of the deal, announced Friday, were undisclosed.

The acquired technology will be added to Cryptocard's existing cloud-based authentication services portfolio, which already offers secure logins to enterprises and service providers based on SMS, software and hardware tokens. Adding grid-based tokens to the mix add another option to Cryptocard's BlackShield SaaS platform.

GrIDsure's technology offers a mildly bothersome alternative to passwords. Users memorise the position of (say) four tiles on a grid of numbers instead of a static password. The numbers presented to users changes every time they login, but the position of the required tiles remains secret to the punter - as the video below shows:

The firm marketed its technology as an alternative to hardware tokens from the likes of RSA but it failed to gain traction in the marketplace fast enough. GrIDsure went into liquidation earlier this month after its investors declined to pump more money into its business, CRN reports.

A representative of Cryptocard confirmed that GrIDsure was insolvent; Companies House lists the biz as in liquidation. ®